SKILLS
BY GABBY MOLLOY AND JAMES DODDS
HOW TO:
DO A FISHTAIL SKID
Swiss flicks or Scandinavian flicks are so much fun – they’re
taken from the rally car move and are a quick way to get
through two tight trees or a tight corner. Essentially you are
coming in with the back wheel sliding from side to side,
then at the right moment, you let go of the brakes so that
the rear wheel tracks again and you accelerate through the
turn.
Sounds easy? This issue we’ll have a go at doing a fishtail,
then next issue we’ll apply it to a track.
Choose a smooth gravel road with a slight downhill slope to
practice on.
Start by rolling along at a good coasting speed and leaning
on the handlebars (check out the pics) and then putting the
back brake on. Obviously the rear wheel will lock up and
skid. You may be surprised how safe and easy it feels, this
is because you have UNWEIGHTED your rear wheel. Note:
I see people trying to do skids in car parks all the time by
throwing their weight backwards trying to make the rear
wheel slide. Unfortunately that is only making the rear wheel
stick to the ground even more. To allow a wheel to SLIDE it
must be UNWEIGHTED.
Have a few practice runs getting used to the back wheel
locking up, maybe try it faster and faster.
Now, to get the wheel to fishtail...
Start the manoeuvre in the same fashion as you have been
but this time, once you feel the wheel lock up allow your
weight to tip in one direction. For example, to the left, just
slightly. When you feel the wheel start to slide to the right,
THEN, you can start encouraging it further with your hips.
Note: if you can’t get the wheel to move to the side you
need to be patient. Don’t force it, focus on leaning/tipping
to the side and WAIT for the wheel to move.
After you get the knack you’ll be able to sprint up to speed
and fishtail maybe four or five times down the road until you
run out of momentum.
Next issue we’ll follow up with the Scandy Flick – oh yeah!
UNWEIGHT THE REAR WHEEL